Kia Carens (06 on) - Review

Review by Simon Harris on
Last Updated: 05 January 2010
The Kia Carens is a good value people carrier that majors on equipment and interior space. It's similar in length to the Vauxhall Zafira but comes better equipped and crucially, can be chosen with seven seats - this makes it ideal for larger families with younger children. It's far from a budget car though, with a comfortable and well built cabin while practicality is excellent thanks to rear seats that fold down easily to create a huge load space. So while it may not be the most stylish or modern of people carriers, the Carens is an affordable and versatile family car. All models from January 2010 come with a seven-year warranty as standard, which replaced the previous five years, making the Carens even better value.
3.5 out of 5

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3 out of 5

Buying new

The Carens is a good people carrier that comes well equipped, especially compared to alternatives like the Vauxhall Zafira. That's not to say you won't be able to negotiate a discount, but Kia dealers now have much better models than they did a few years ago so you many not get a huge amount off. However, the seven-year/100,000 mile warranty on all new cars is unrivalled by any other manufacturer.

Buy a new Kia Carens and save 18% on selected models

4 out of 5

Buying used

A used Carens can represent a good deal. It's a well equipped model while newer cars come with a five-year warranty (seven-year from January 2010) which can be transferred onto new owners. The basic S model is only available with five seats, you're better going for a GS model with seven seats. Even if you don't use them it will be worth more when you come to sell. Should hold its value well for both five-seat and seven-seat versions, although demand on the used market will be slightly higher for the diesel (seven-seat model), and prices will reflect this.

  • Boot/Load Space Kia Carens (06 on)
  • Interior Kia Carens (06 on)

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See 72 used Kia Carenss for sale, starting at £2,950

3 out of 5

Selling

The seven-seat models prove more popular then the five-seaters and most buyers prefer the diesel engine. The Kia badge may not carry the same weight as Vauxhall or Ford on the second hand market, but emphasise its generous equipment levels and use any remaining warranty as a selling point.